Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-11-16
CHAPTER XVII

| W alk'E Milh W inc MOUSSE OF JACK
Hawkins, and informed him that he
had been discharged by Farmer Miles.
"He bounced We, did he, ehP" asked
Jack. with grin on his face.
EYES" said Walter, al was dis
charged and | certainly did not merit
/ Il.
''Well, ole Miles must nev got
kinder suspicion, ye know" said Jack
"But it'll al como out fair in the end;
ye 90 10 Bushville an look about We
sharp there. Dress up I'm yer best an
call on Mr.. Smallwecd; may be We kin
/ git place in the bank rs clerk; IF We
cant yo kin git near enough to see
how the doors ar hung. an the best
way TO get in. The otEer BOYS 'ud
jist give the thing away Ct they nd try
that part. You ar the only one in the
band who could DO il.
This was the course that Walter had
laid out for himself; yet with far diff
feren. design from that intended by
Jack Hawkins. He babe Jack good
| bye and trudged on to the village. The
heart of Walter Brownlield was much
heavier than IL was month ago, when
he came along this very road seeking
employment as a farm hand. True,
then he was penniless and actually
suffering with hunger; but now an .un-
known, indeiinable dread had seized
| his heart. He passed several neigh
bors, who knew him, and such express
sions as
son the tramp again. ehp"
"Givin' the road lick. eh?"
"What, runnIn' away?"
Goodbye, Walter" and n hun
dred others greeted his ears. His face
| flushed, until il almost seemed on fire,
yet he restrained his temper. To some
of the more sympathetic of his friends
he answered politely, informing them
that, for the present, he would sojourn
ut the village.
The quaint little country town was
reached at last, and, weary and heart
sore, Walter proceeded at once to the
small tavern, where he secured board
for 4 week ut two dollars and fifty
cents. He saw Jack Hawkins and
Bill Martin, who had evidently stepped
in TO see il the new recruit was getting
In his work well. They did not con-
verse with him, but he felt that their
eyes were constantly upon him. He
shuddercd as he noticed the two vii
lains watching his every movement.
Walter went to the bank of Mr..
! Smallwecd and stood about the door
| for some time. The ruilians supposed
that he was making an examination OF
the vault, with view to aiding them
in the burglary.
JACK said Bill.
"Well, what?'
'He's going TO work like q trump"
| SMakes a oool stnrt -
you bet"
"Histw
WHAT asked Bill.
! 1.-THE constable is not far behind u.s."
"Blast him. said Bill, II would like
TO give him one whack with my sling
shot.
ale keeps round like he has suspi-
cion o. us.
mo, he amt; let's go up here and
/ watch Walt"
Walter had entered the bank build
| ing and they could not see him. He
! intended to make them believe that he
was doing their bidding, and vet to
/ avoid meeting them personally.
II have evidently satisfied them that
/ am working in their interest," said
Walter, as he returned TO the small,
miserable tavern, determined TO see
Mr. Smallweed and convince him of
his danger.
The next day was Sunday. and I'm
the afternoon Walter dressed himself
neatly, sporting little. cane, which he
Glanced - find, newly shaved and
with very much che air Of a dandy
called on the banker at his residence.
The afternoon was pleasant, and Mr..
o, Il
sitting on the portico in front of the
house. AS Walter entered the front
gate in a careless, unconcerned man
ner, the banker, with bland smile on
| his face, arose and walked down to
| meet him.
"Good-day, SIR" said Mr.. Small
/ weed.
Good afternoon" replied Walter,
with courteous bow.
Il presume. young man. you wished
to see me?' said the banker.
II do. Mr.. Smallweed, and on a
matter Of the most vital Importance TO
you,' said Walter. 81 would not have
come to see you on the Sabbath day.
had 1t been any matter which l could
have deferred"
"What is it?" asked Mr.. Smallweed.
the broad smile disappearing from
face as he observed the terrible ear
nestness in the countenance of his Wis
/ itOr.
III must speak to You alone, where
no living mortal can near what / say,
or even see our features while we con-
verse"
Come, then, to my private room;
there we will be safe from intrusion" "
| Tho hur,L-nv- l.I h., L Il
ter followed. When they were in the
room Mr.. Smallweed locked the door
and again asked.
"What is ftp"
you are in danger. Mr.. Small
weed"
"Of whomp of whatp"
''Of burglars and murderers," sale
Walter. "Now do not start or be
alarmed Mt what i am about TO tell
YOU, but there IS y deliberate plan on
foot to rob and murder you on next
Wednesday night. The s-me men
who attacked and came so near muir
dering tho unfortunate Californian
know that his gold is locked up in your
vaults"
"How do YOU know they know its''
because / am one of Them" re-
marked Walter, coolly.
WHAT shrieked the banker, start
ing up in alarm.
'Donot be frightened. Mr.. Small
weed, but listen 10 me patiently. / am
only one Of the burglars TO detect them
and bring thcm to justice. l am one
for a purpose"
young man." said the banker, in a
very serious tone. II must have full,
fair and complete explanation of this
whole business. There are many things
in it do not understand. IL is very
serious matter, and you must convince
me that YOU are honest
'iiad intended OF desired the rob
bers to succeed, l should never have
informed you # your danger" said